Quiver (9 page)
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Little is known about Greece in the second millennium B.C., the time when I have set this story, but most sources agree that fathers of the era were free to expose unwanted female children. All the many versions of Atalanta’s story begin with the harsh fact that her father cast her out to die.
Artemis’ merciful intervention, Atalanta’s athletic prowess, and her father’s insistence that she return to the palace to marry are all constants. Hippomenes was sometimes called Melanion, but he always sought Aphrodite’s help, and she always gave him three golden apples. One popular version of the myth says that Hippomenes’ ruse worked, that Atalanta lost the race because she stopped to examine the apples, as any woman would. Less well known is the story of the newlyweds’ transformation into lions. It is sometimes an angry Zeus, sometimes an offended Aphrodite or Demeter who wreaks the change, but it is always intended as severe punishment.
Other, more obscure versions of Atalanta’s story have her joining the quest for the Golden Fleece with Jason (and being healed of serpent-battling wounds by Medea); or going straight from the Calydonian Boar Hunt to King Pelias’ funeral games, where she competed against the greatest wrestler of the age, and won. She was a daring character.
She was also, seemingly, capable of great cruelty. Her insistence on death for slow suitors appears almost blood-thirsty, yet it can also be seen as a desperate ploy to remain in Artemis’ good graces. The goddess insisted on chastity, and Atalanta vowed it. As the swiftest mortal alive, she very well might have hoped that no man would be foolish enough to challenge her. If, thinking only of pleasing Artemis, she failed to imagine that Aphrodite might intervene, we cannot fault her. The immortal gods did as they pleased and were accountable only to each other.
ABOUT THE GODS
Readers unfamiliar with Greek mythology may like to know a bit more about the gods who appear in Atalanta’s story. Zeus, Artemis, Apollo, and Aphrodite are all part of the original pantheon said to rule from Mount Olympus. The others are Hera, Zeus’ wife; Athena, his solemn, wise, virginal daughter; Ares, God of War; Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest; Dionysus, exuberant God of Wine and intoxication; Hephaestus, God of Fire; Hermes, the fleet messenger-god; and Poseidon, Zeus’ brother and Lord of all the Oceans. Eros appeared later but figured prominently in many of the myths.
Like so many divine rulers, the gods are related.
Zeus, Lord of all Creation and mighty wielder of thunderbolts, was zealously paternal, producing children whenever and wherever he could. Among the many were Apollo and Artemis and (with a different mother) Aphrodite. Zeus’ wife, Hera, was notoriously jealous, with good reason.
Artemis the Huntress was a forest goddess and protector of wild animals. Rigorously chaste, she oversaw women in childbirth, as well as young girls making the transition from childhood to womanhood. Her attributes, and her association with the moon, indicate that she was absorbed into the Greek pantheon from an older culture, probably Cretan.
Apollo, Lord of the Silver Bow, God of Prophecy, healing-god and inventor of music, was Artemis’ younger twin, but very unlike her. Apollo often fell in love—with both mortal women and nymphs. He fathered many children (including the great healer Asclepius), opposed barbarism, and maintained that moderation in all things was best.
Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Zeus’ daughter, was beautiful, seductive, and extremely popular: she oversaw the sexual initiation of women. Aphrodite’s arranged marriage to the lame smithy Hephaestus was not altogether happy. She took many lovers, including a wide sampling of the pantheon.
Eros, Aphrodite’s son, was a capricious boy whose invisible golden arrows had the power to inspire love in their targets. He shot both gods and mortals without plan, but with devastating accuracy, and was greatly feared.
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ALSO BY STEPHANIE SPINNER
As he flies through the cloud-swept skies above Mount Olympus in his winged sandals, Hermes looks like a carefree youth. But he’s actually ageless and divine—the son and personal messenger of Almighty Zeus. Known as Mercury, Wayfinder, and Prince of Thieves, Hermes is renowned for his quicksilver speed, nimble wits, and gift of Sight.
He also brings luck to the living and comfort to the dead, navigating the perilous terrain between earth and Hades with enviable ease. But when the Trojan War erupts in all its grisly violence, Hermes is paralyzed with sorrow—and guilt. He believes he’s made a grave error, one that led directly to the terrible conflict. And now he wants nothing more than peace.
Stephanie Spinner brings the famous messenger—and the best-known gods, monsters, and mortals of ancient Greek mythology—to life with high action and powerful prose.
Available from Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
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Text copyright © 2002 by Stephanie Spinner
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RL: 5.8
First Dell Laurel-Leaf Edition April 2005
eISBN: 978-0-307-43365-7
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